Apparatus and method for bagging ice

ABSTRACT

An ice-bagging apparatus for automatically and continuously producing, bagging and storing bags of ice without the occurrence of bridging between the ice particles/cubes, and without the need for manual labor and/or continuous monitoring of the machinery, wherein a bag identification mechanism is utilized to ensure the use of only a select type or brand of bag within the ice-bagging apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] To the full extent permitted by law, the presentcontinuation-in-part application claims priority to and the full benefitof nonprovisional patent application entitled “Apparatus and Method ForBagging Ice”, filed on Nov. 5, 2002, and having assigned Serial No.10/288,146.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to ice machines, and morespecifically to an ice-bagging apparatus and method thereof. The presentinvention is particularly suitable for, although not strictly limitedto, automatically bagging ice for the continuous supply thereof, whereina bag identification mechanism is utilized to ensure the use of only aselect type or brand of bag within the ice-bagging apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Bagged ice may be found in most grocery stores, conveniencestores, gas stations and/or superstores. These bags are typically storedin freezers on the premises of such locations. A concern for mostvendors of these establishments is the necessity of maintaining anadequate supply of bagged ice for their customers. Unfortunately, mostestablishments are not equipped with ice-making and bagging facilitiesor machinery and are thus forced to rely on shipments of bagged ice andconsequently accept the potential delay thereof, thus adverselyaffecting the establishment's customer satisfaction and profit margin.

[0004] Although some establishments may be equipped with ice-makingmachinery, most are typically not equipped with efficient and automatedice-bagging machinery. Instead, such establishments often have on-siteemployees manually fill individual bags with ice and then load theindividual bags into a freezer, thus resulting in a highly inefficientand potentially unsanitary process. Furthermore, bags manually filledwith ice are generally not immediately placed within a freezer tomaintain solid state of the ice, but are instead allowed to sit for aperiod of time on the floor or in a basket or container wherebridging/fusing of the ice results as a consequence of the ice melting.As such, a customer purchasing manually filled bags of ice is oftenburdened with having to break a large clump or block of ice into useablepieces. Bags of ice shipped or trucked to a grocery store are alsosubject to bridging during transport of the ice bags from the deliverytruck to inside the store and then into the store's freezers.

[0005] Facilities that possess presently available ice making, baggingand storing machine are still at a disadvantage, as the technology ofprior-art machines has generally remained inefficient, thereby adverselyaffecting profitability. In particular, most prior-art machines requireaugers to channel and physically transport ice produced by the icemakerto a reservoir for subsequent bagging. As such augers are typically slowin transporting the ice to the reservoir and fail to incorporatedrainage mechanisms to assist in the channeling away of melting ice,unwanted bridging/fusing of ice particles results, and as such,utilization and incorporation of such augers is disadvantageous.Furthermore, because such machinery may bag ice based on weight of thecollected ice within the reservoir, fused clumps of ice are oftendeposited into the bags when the required weight of ice, clumped or not,has been met. Consequently, the slow speed and inefficiency of machineryincorporating such augers directly impacts the number of bags of icethat can be produced and, as such, has a direct and negative impact onsales volume and profit of the establishment utilizing the machinery.

[0006] Moreover, prior-art ice making, bagging and storing machines thatincorporate hoppers for receipt of ice from the icemaker, typically donot possess an agitator in the hopper to assist in breaking up and/oragitating the ice particles/cubes so as to prevent bridging. As aresult, bags of ice yielded from these prior art machines generallycontain fused clumps of ice particles/cubes, thereby inconveniencing thepurchaser/customer by requiring him/her to break apart the chunks of iceinto smaller useable pieces.

[0007] An additional concern with prior art ice making, bagging andstoring machines, and within the ice-bagging industry in general, is theinability of original equipment manufactures to uphold productwarranties due to actions conducted on behalf of purchasers of the icemachines. Specifically, many ice machines may require a specific type orbrand of bag to effectively and continuously function properly, whereinsuch bags are often made available for purchase through the originalequipment manufacturer (OEM). However, instead of purchasing the properbags from the OEM, many machine purchasers typically purchase bags froma second source, perhaps due to past dealings and/or establishedbusiness relationships therewith. Unfortunately, many such second-sourcebags may not be the proper type or size of bag, and/or may not bemanufactured from the requisite material needed to withstand the rigorsand bagging process of the machine. As such, use of such bags oftenresults in machine malfunction, improper or defective product (ice)bagging, and thus, the subsequent voiding of OEM warranties.Additionally, because the livelihood and success of many companies isoften dependent upon name recognition and the association of same withhigh-quality goods and/or services, many consumers may attribute animproperly or defectively bagged ice product to the OEM name (trademark)printed or otherwise displayed on the machine itself, and not to thesecond-source manufacture name printed on the bag, thus potentiallyresulting in tarnishment of the OEM's name or trademark. As such, adecline in sales of bagged ice may have a significant financial andfuture machine sales impact on the OEM, especially in scenarios wherethe ice machine has been leased and the lessee chooses not to renew thelease based upon the decline in sales.

[0008] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for anice-bagging apparatus that provides an establishment with the ability toautomatically and continuously produce, bag and store bags of icewithout the occurrence of bridging between the ice particles/cubes, andwithout the need for manual labor and/or continuous monitoring of themachinery. There is a further need for an ice-bagging apparatus thatincorporates a bag identification mechanism to ensure the use of only aselect type or brand of bag within the ice-bagging apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the presentinvention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets therecognized need for such a device by providing an ice-bagging apparatusand method that provides an establishment with the ability toautomatically and expeditiously produce, bag and store bags of ice, thusmaintaining a desired supply of bagged ice by eliminating conventionalmethods of manual ice bagging and reducing the likelihood of unwantedbridging of the ice particles/cubes. The present invention furtherincorporates a bag identification mechanism to ensure the use of only aselect type or brand of bag within the ice-bagging apparatus.

[0010] According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the presentinvention in its preferred form is an ice-bagging apparatus having anicemaker, a hopper for receiving ice from the icemaker, a slider box forreceiving ice from the hopper and for channeling the ice into a bag, abagging mechanism for bagging the ice, a bag identification mechanism, afreezer for storing the bagged ice and a control panel for managing andmonitoring said system.

[0011] More specifically, the present invention is an ice baggingapparatus having an icemaker, a hopper for receiving ice from theicemaker, a slider box positioned under the hopper for receiving icetherefrom and for channeling the ice into a bag, wherein the bag is fedthrough the apparatus via a bag supply mechanism. Once filled with adesired amount of ice, the slider box slides or travels along a slidertray and is preferably computer-programmed or electronically controlledto position itself over the bag, wherein ice is subsequently depositedtherein. Prior to filling, the mouth of the bag is preferably blown openvia a blower/fan and physically held open via a pivoting hatchpositioned just over the bag. The filled bag is then heat sealed viaheat sealers and then dropped into a rotator, wherein motors rotate therotator, allowing the bag to drop into a freezer or storage unit. Theentire process is preferably fully automated and/or computer controlled,such that the speed of the machine can be altered according to thedesired production rate of bagged ice. The apparatus further possesseslaser eyes positioned at specified points on the apparatus for readingthe process of the apparatus at various stages, so as to ensure properfunctioning thereof.

[0012] Additionally, to ensure use of only a select type or brand ofbag, a bag identification process is preferably initiated prior tofilling each bag with ice. Specifically, a bag identification mechanismutilizing strategically positioned laser eyes preferably systematicallydetects, reads and measures the length of label sections printed on thebag, as well as the distance between each label section. The tabulatedor measured values (i.e., relative lengths and distances between thelabel sections) are compared against a pre-programmed or set value oflengths/measurements defined by the onboard computer of the controlpanel. Should the apparatus or computer encounter a discrepancy betweenthe measured values and defined values, the computer may selectivelydeactivate systems operations of the apparatus entirely, permit systemsoperations and forward a status report of the discrepancies to theoriginal equipment manufacturer for management or resolution, and/ordeactivate systems operations after a series or set number of separatelydetected discrepancies, wherein the latter option accounts for possiblemachine-related error, identification error, inherent defects in thebag, or the like (i.e., allows room for error).

[0013] Should the apparatus encounter a general system malfunction, theapparatus will attempt to correct the malfunction via computerpre-programmed responses implemented within the control panel. If theapparatus is unable to correct the malfunction, the control panel sendsmessages or signals via modem or other communication devices to themanufacturer of the apparatus for repair and/or to store managementdepending upon the complexity of the problem. Additionally, data can becollected and analyzed regarding the volume of sales based on the numberof bags utilized, the number of cycles or the volume of ice produced.

[0014] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto continuously and automatically produce bags of ice, thus constantlymaintaining a desired supply of bags of ice.

[0015] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto send and receive computer signals for regular maintenance and/orreporting.

[0016] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto drain water so as to reduce the likelihood of bridging or fusing ofice particles during the ice making and bagging processes.

[0017] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto function without the incorporation of augers as utilized in prior-artmachines, thus reducing the likelihood of bridging of the ice.

[0018] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto permit and police the selection of a particular type and/or brand ofbag.

[0019] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its reducedsize as compared to prior-art machines, thus reducing the necessaryfootprint and consequently the costs of floor space.

[0020] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto physically or mechanically hold open a bag during the process offilling the bag with ice.

[0021] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto agitate the ice held within the hopper, thus reducing the likelihoodof bridging of the ice.

[0022] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto function without the use of an auger as utilized in prior artmachines, thus enabling increased production rates.

[0023] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto reduce the vendor's overall cost of bagged ice.

[0024] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto correct and/or attempt to correct problems associated with itscomponents and/or machine parts, wherein problems that require furtherinvestigation or repair are reported via a modem and/or globalnetworking system to a repair or servicing company, or the like.

[0025] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be better understood by reading theDetailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like referencenumerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout,and in which:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the slider box of an ice-baggingapparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hatch and heat seal pad of anice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a side view of the bagging assembly of an ice-baggingapparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a side view of the bagging assembly and the storage ofan ice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a front view of a bag according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, showing an aspect of the preferredbag identification process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments ofthe present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, specific terminologyis employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is notintended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and itis to be understood that each specific element includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similarfunctions.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention in a preferredembodiment is an apparatus 10, wherein apparatus 10 is an ice-baggingapparatus having, in general, icemaker assembly 20, bagging assembly 40,storage 140 and control panel 150. Preferably, icemaker assembly 20 ispositioned on and above bagging assembly 40, and bagging assembly 40 ispreferably positioned on and above storage 140. Bagging assembly 40further preferably possesses control panel 150 secured thereto, whereincontrol panel 150 is preferably in computer or electronic communicationwith apparatus 10 in general, as more fully described below. One skilledin the art would readily recognize that control panel 150 could bepositioned in any location on or near apparatus 10, wherein useraccessibility and functional communication between necessary componentsis facilitated. Moreover, while the generally “stacked” arrangement ispreferred, the relative positions of icemaker assembly 20, baggingassembly 40 and storage 140 could be alternatively configured, whereinalternate and/or additional means of ice transport therebetween could beincorporated, or one unit housing icemaker assembly 20, bagging assembly40 and storage 140 could be utilized, wherein individual housings andapertures therebetween could be modified and/or eliminated.

[0038] Icemaker assembly 20 is preferably a conventional icemaker asknown within the art, possessing icemaker 22 enclosed within housing 24,wherein bottom wall 26 of housing 24 preferably possesses aperture 28,and wherein aperture 28 is preferably aligned with hopper 42 of baggingassembly 40 so as to permit ice produced by icemaker 22 to enter throughaperture 28 for receipt by hopper 42, as more fully described below. Toensure the highest quality of ice produced via icemaker 22, sedimentfilter 25 and UV filter 27 are preferably disposed within icemakerassembly 20 and/or in-line with the water source to preferably filterthe water prior to production of ice therefrom.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, bagging assembly 40 is preferablyenclosed within housing 41, wherein upper wall 41 a of housing 41possesses an aperture 42 a positioned over and aligned with mouth 44 ofhopper 42, and wherein hopper 42 is preferably inverted-pyramidal-shapedto facilitate the funneling therein of ice cubes/particles produced byicemaker 22. Aperture 42 a is further preferably aligned with aperture28 of icemaker assembly 20, wherein ice produced by icemaker 22preferably falls through aperture 28 of icemaker assembly 20, throughaperture 42 a of housing 41 of bagging assembly 40, and then into mouth44 of hopper 42. Once hopper 42 is filled with a desired amount of iceas dictated by control panel 150, ice collected within hopper 42 ispreferably channeled into slider box 60 through aperture 43 of hopper42, wherein slider box 60 is positioned directly beneath hopper 42, asmore fully described below.

[0040] Hopper 42 preferably possesses agitator 46, wherein agitator 46preferably possesses a generally elongated-rectangular-shaped arm 48having first end 48 a and second end 48 b, wherein arm 48 is preferablyslidably engaged with slot 42 c formed through wall 42 b of hopper 42.

[0041] Preferably formed through arm 48 is slot 50, preferably havingfirst end 50 a and second end 50 b, wherein first end 50 a is preferablypositioned proximal first end 48 a of arm 48, and wherein second end 50b is preferably positioned proximal second end 48 b of arm 48. Pin 52preferably extends through throughhole 53 a of prong-shaped supportbracket 53, wherein support bracket 53 is preferably formed on edge 69of slider box 60, and wherein pin 52 thereafter preferably extendsthrough slot 50 and is slidably engaged therewith, as best depicted inFIG. 2.

[0042] Preferably formed at second end 48 b of arm 48 of agitator 46,and angled outwardly therefrom, are prongs 54 and 56, wherein prongs 54and 56 preferably assist in the agitation of ice within hopper 42 uponthe movement of arm 48 through slot 42 c of hopper 42. Specifically,upon movement of slider box 60 over slider tray 80 (for purposes morefully described below), pin 52 of arm 48 of agitator 46 preferablyleaves first end 50 a of slot 50 of arm 48 and slides through the lengthof slot 50 until pin 52 contacts second end 50 b of slot 50, whereuponpin 52 pushes arm 48 through slot 42 c of hopper 42, thus agitating icecollected therein via prongs 54 and 56 of arm 48, therebyreducing/eliminating the occurrence of bridging between the ice. Whilearm 48 and prongs 54 and 56 are preferably utilized to agitate icecollected in hopper 42, one skilled in the art, with the benefit of thepresent disclosure, would readily recognize that other shapes, agitationmeans and/or mechanisms could be utilized to perform substantially thesame function without departing from the intended scope of the presentinvention.

[0043] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 3-4, control panel 150 ispreferably hingably connected to housing 41 of bagging assembly 40 viahinges 151, wherein removal of spring-loaded pin 152 of control panel150 from lock-hole 152 formed on housing 41 of bagging assembly 40preferably exposes hopper 42, thus permitting the removal of hopper 42from housing 41 via slidably removing hopper 42 from support rails 47and 49 positioned on and secured to upper wall 41 a of housing 41. Tofacilitate removal of hopper 42 from housing 41, pin 52 of arm 48 ofagitator 46 is preferably removed from throughhole 53 a of supportbracket 53 of slider box 60, thus permitting arm 48 to unlatchtherefrom. Once removed from housing 41, hopper 42 can then be sanitizedand/or cleaned as desired, thus further maintaining the sterility of icedeposited therein.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5, slider box 60 preferably possesses agenerally trapezoidal-shape and preferably has an aperture 62 formedthrough front area 60 a of slider box 60, wherein slider tray 80positioned under slider box 60 preferably serves as a bottom or closuremeans for aperture 62, thus permitting slider box 60 to maintain icereceived from hopper 42 therein. To increase the overall volumetriccapacity of aperture 62 of slider box 60, front wall 65 of slider box 60is preferably slidably adjustable via slot-and-bolt mechanisms 65 a and65 b formed on side walls 60 b and 60 c, respectively, of slider box 60and in communication with front wall 65, wherein front wall 65 ispreferably adjustable to enable aperture 62 to receive 5 lbs, 10 lbsand/or 20 lbs of ice therein for the subsequent generation of 5 lbs, 10lbs and/or 20 lbs bags of ice, respectively. Furthermore, front wall 65preferably possesses upwardly angled lip 65 c formed thereon, whereinangled lip 65 c preferably abuts front edge 43 c of aperture 43 ofhopper 42 when slider box 60 is in a resting position, thus shunting theflow of any vestigial ice particles from aperture 43 of hopper 42 (seeFIGS. 7-8). Although aperture 62 of slider box 60 is capable ofreceiving 5 lbs, 10 lbs and/or 20 lbs of ice, it is contemplated in analternate embodiment that aperture 62 and/or front wall 65 could bemodified to receive any desired quantity of ice. Slider box 60 ispreferably formed from a metal material, although other suitablematerials may be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only,plastic.

[0045] Formed preferably along side walls 60 b and 60 c of slider box60, proximal to angled region 60 d of bottom wall 61 of slider box 60,are channels 64 and 66, respectively, wherein channels 64 and 66preferably function to divert water and/or slurry from the ice heldwithin aperture 62 of slider box 60 and on slider tray 80, as more fullydescribed below. Additionally, formed preferably on sides 60 b and 60 cof slider box 60 are rail engagers 68 and 70, respectively, thatpreferably slidably engage rails 72 and 74 positioned along side walls80 a and 80 b, respectively, of slider tray 80, and ending in securedcontact with front walls 80 c and 80 d, respectively of slider tray 80.Rail engagers 68 and 70 of slider box 60 and respective rails 72 and 74of slider tray 80 preferably permit slider box 60 to travel along slidertray 80 via assistance from motor 89 (not shown) positioned under slidertray 80, thus permitting slider box 60 to deposit ice into bag 102, asmore fully described below. Furthermore, to ensure that slider box 60slides the appropriate distance over, slider tray 80, slider box 60preferably possesses trip bar 60 e formed on side wall 60 b of sliderbox 60, wherein trip bar 60 e preferably contacts and trips switch 60 fpositioned proximal slider tray 80 and in computer-communication withcontrol panel 150 (see FIG. 5), and wherein the tripping of switch 60 fby trip bar 60 e preferably halts further movement of slider box 60 overslider tray 80.

[0046] Slider tray 80 is preferably substantially rectangular-shaped andis preferably formed from a metal material, although other suitablematerials may be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only,plastic. Preferably, aperture 82 is formed through bottom wall 84 ofslider tray 80, wherein computer-activated or automated movement ofslider box 60 along rails 72 and 74 preferably results in aperture 62 ofslider box 60 being aligned with and positioned over aperture 82 ofslider tray 80, such that ice collected and retained within slider box60 is thereafter deposited through aperture 62 of slider box 60 and thenthrough aperture 82 of slider tray 80 for subsequent receipt by bag 102,as more fully described below. Furthermore, when slider box 60 slidesover slider tray 80, flat upper surface 67 of slider box 60, proximalaperture 62 of front area 60 a, preferably becomes positioned underaperture 43 of hopper 42, thus shunting and/or stopping any further icefrom exiting aperture 43 of hopper 42.

[0047] Preferably, slider tray 80 is positioned on mount 96, whereinmount 96 is preferably ramp-like so that slider tray 80 and supportedslider box 60 are preferably upwardly slanted and/or angled relative tostorage 140. Such preferred slanting/angling of slider tray 80 andsupported slider box 60 gravitationally encourages liquid and/or slurryformed within and on slider box 60 to travel downwardly and away fromthe ice held within aperture 62 of slider box 60 and on slider tray 80,wherein such water and/or melting ice is preferably diverted through anddown channels 64 and 66 of slider box 60 and into slider tray 80,whereupon water may be drained therefrom via drainage spout 63 formed onslider tray 80 via assistance from attached hose 63A. This preferredconfiguration reduces the likelihood of bridging or fusing of the icecubes held within aperture 62 due to excess water and/or melting ice.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, secured preferably to sides 96 aand96 b of mount 96 are ends 95 a and 97 a, respectively, of rails 95 and97, respectively, wherein opposing ends 95 b and 97 b, respectively, arepreferably in communication with heat seal pad 98, and wherein heat sealpad 98 is preferably any suitable heat seal pad as known within the art.Formed preferably on front face 96 c of mount 96 is heat seal strip 99,wherein computer activated sliding of heat seal pad 98 along rails 95and 97 preferably enables contact of heat seal pad 98 with heat sealstrip 99, thus heat sealing the top portion of an ice-filled bag 102positioned therebetween, as more fully described below. Furthermore, toprevent a heat-sealed bag of ice 102 from sticking to heat seal strip99, spring-loaded kick-bar 99 c positioned preferably over and aroundheat seal strip 99 preferably springfully kicks forward, thus pushingthe heat-sealed bag of ice 102 off heat sealer 99, wherein kick-bar 99 cis preferably initially pushed inward upon initial heat sealing of bag102. Heat seal pad 98 is preferably positioned beneath bottom wall 84 ofslider tray 80 so as to prevent heat seal pad 98 from interfering withthe passage of ice from aperture 82 of slider tray 80 into bag 102positioned thereunder.

[0049] Bag roll 100, preferably positioned behind angled region 60 d ofslider box 60, preferably supplies bags 102 for the filling of icetherein, wherein bags 102 are preferably joined and separable viaperforations 105 formed between each bag 102. Preferably, only one sideof bag 102 is attached to a preceding bag 102, wherein the unattached oropposing side of bag 102 is preferably freely openable so as to exposemouth 103 of bag 102 for the placement of ice therein and therethrough.As best illustrated in FIG. 4, bag roll 100 is preferably supported inhousing 41 of bagging assembly 40 via spool-mechanism 100 a. Preferably,upon exhaustion of bags 102 from bag roll 100, spool-mechanism 100 apreferably permits a new bag roll 100 to be placed on spool pin 100 bvia removal of spool plate 100 c from spool pin 100 b.

[0050] Specifically, bags 102 are preferably conveyed over rollerassembly 104, wherein roller assembly 104 is preferably positionedsubstantially beneath slider tray 80. Bags 102 traveling over rollerassembly 104 are preferably transported through bagging assembly 40 andan individual bag 102 is preferably halted under aperture 82 of slidertray 80, and preferably over rotator 130 for subsequent receipt of afilled bag of ice 102 therein, as more fully described below. Uponbringing a bag 102 to a halt under aperture 82, blower 106 preferablyblows open bag 102 via tube 106 a and blower vent 106 b, thus exposingmouth 103 for the placement of ice therethrough and therein, whereinblower 106 is preferably a conventional fan blower as known within theart, and wherein blower vent 106 b is preferably positioned within chute111 and over bag 102, as more fully described below. Following theblowing open of bag 102, control panel 150 preferably computer activatesslider box 60 to slide up slider tray 80 via rails 72 and 74, resultingin aperture 62 of slider box 60 aligning with and positioning overaperture 82 of slider tray 80, such that ice collected and retainedwithin slider box 60 is thereafter deposited through aperture 62 ofslider box 60, through aperture 82 of slider tray 80, through chute 111aligned therewith, and then through mouth 103 of bag 102 for thecollection of the ice therein.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 9, and with continued reference to FIGS.1-4, to enable selection of a specific make, brand, size and/or type ofbag 102, a bag identification process is preferably initiated prior tofilling each bag 102 with ice; although, such bag identificationprocesses may be conducted at any selected or various stages of thebagging process described herein. Specifically, as each bag 102 advancesthrough bagging assembly 40, strategically positioned laser eyes 107preferably systematically detect, read and measure the length of indiciaor label sections 102 b and 102 c printed on top surface 102 a of bag102, as well as the length or distance 102 d between each label section102 b and 102 c, wherein label section 102 b is preferably measuredfirst, then distance 102 d, followed by label section 102 c. Thetabulated or measured values (i.e., relative lengths and distancesbetween label sections 102 b and 102 c, and distance 102 d) are comparedagainst a pre-programmed or set value of lengths/measurements defined bythe onboard computer of control panel 150, preferably for purposes ofidentifying and verifying the authenticity of bag 102 for use of same inapparatus 10. Should the computer of control panel 150 encounter adiscrepancy between the measured values and defined values, the computerof control panel 150 may selectively deactivate systems operations ofapparatus 10 entirely, permit systems operations and forward a statusreport of the discrepancies to the original equipment manufacturer formanagement or resolution, and/or deactivate systems operations after aseries or set number of separately detected discrepancies, wherein thelatter option accounts for possible machine-related error, bag-feederror, identification error, inherent defects in bags 102, inherentdefects in the printing of label sections 102 b and 102 c, or the like(i.e., allows room for error). Although it is preferred that laser eyes107 read and measure label section 102 b first, then distance 102 d,followed by label section 102 c, it should be recognized that any orderof reading or measuring of same could be utilized, as well as anyconfiguration, arrangement and/or number of label sections and/ormeasured distances therebetween. It is further contemplated that thebottom surface of bag 102 could also possess label sections for bagidentification purposes. It is still further contemplated that anysuitable sensing and/or bag identification mechanism could be utilized,such as, for exemplary purposes only, photoelectric eyes, lasertechnology and/or barcode technology, for reading any suitable bagidentification indicia, such as, for exemplary purposes only, colors,barcodes, shapes, reference characters, letters, numbers, selecteddistances, voids, spaces, or the like.

[0052] Laser eyes 107 also preferably function to detect operationaland/or mechanical maintenance requirements associated with bag 102and/or bag roll 100, wherein such maintenance may include detecting whenbag roll 100 is on its last bag 102, and/or detecting strands ofadhesive tape typically utilized to connect one bag roll 100 to anotherbag roll 100. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, laser eyes 107preferably flank roller assembly 104. Although laser eyes 107 arepreferred, any comparable assessment and/or data collection means couldbe utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only, infrared orultraviolet or other scanning means.

[0053] Referring back to FIG. 5, preferably, lever 108 is positioned onand in pivotal communication with edge 80 e of sidewall 80 b of slidertray 80, and just forward of front wall 65 of slider box 60. Attached tolever 108 is end 110 a of cable 110, wherein pivotation of lever 108preferably causes the subsequent tensioning of attached cable 110. End110 b of cable 110 is preferably attached to shovelhead-shaped hatch112, wherein hatch 112 is preferably positioned proximate to aperture 82of slider tray 80, and proximate to mouth 103 of bag 102, and whereinhatch 112 preferably functions as a gate over bag 102, permitting ice tobe loaded therein only when hatch 112 is opened. Preferably, tensioningof cable 110 causes hatch 112 to flip downward relative to slider tray80 and manually hold open bag 102, thus widening mouth 103 of bag 102and facilitating the filling of ice therethrough and therein, whereinhatch 112 further functions as a slide, channeling ice passingthereagainst through mouth 103 and into bag 102. Halting and filling ofbag 102 is further preferably accurately guided and controlled via lasereyes 101 that preferably flank heat seal pad 98, as best illustrated inFIG. 6. Although laser eyes 101 are preferred for guidance and control,one skilled in the art would readily recognize that other means forsensory guidance and control could be utilized, such as, for exemplarypurposes only, infrared and/or ultraviolet mechanisms.

[0054] Upon completion of filling bag 102 with ice, slider box 60preferably returns to its resting position, thus returning lever 108 toits resting position and causing hatch 112 to close, wherein hatch 112is preferably springfully urged shut via attached spring 116.Thereafter, control panel 150 preferably computer activates the movementof heat seal pad 98 along rails 95 and 97, wherein heat seal pad 98preferably contacts heat seal strip 99 of mount 96, thus heat sealingthe top portion of an ice-filled bag 102 positioned therebetween.Preferably during heat sealing of bag 102, tines 114 formed on edge 98 aof heat seal pad 98 preferably assist in the separation of a filled bagof ice 102 from an unfilled bag 102 via mechanically perforating bags102 from one another along perforations 105 of bags 102, as bestillustrated in FIG. 6.

[0055] Upon separation of ice-filled bag 102 from the preceding unfilledbag 102, ice-filled bag 102 preferably drops into rotator 130, whereinrotator 130 is preferably positioned to receive ice-filled bag 102.Rotator 130 is preferably a basket-like container 132 having rotatingmotors 134 and 136 on opposing sides 132 a and 132 b, respectively, ofcontainer 132. Rotating motors 134 and 136 preferably function to rotatecontainer 132 preferably 360 degrees, thus allowing ice-filled bag 102to drop into storage 140 via aperture 142 formed in storage 140 and intocontainer 132, wherein container 132 preferably rotatably returns to itsresting position to receive another ice-filled bag 102 for subsequentdeposit into storage 140. Although 360 degrees is preferred, any measureof rotational movement less than 360 degrees could be utilized, whereinthe deposit of ice-filled bags into storage 140 could continue to beenabled. To ensure proper rotation of rotator 130, laser eyes 138preferably flank rotator 130 and signal control panel 150 to remedy animproperly/incompletely rotated rotator 130.

[0056] Storage 140 is preferably any conventionally available freezerutilized to maintain freezing temperatures of bagged ice stored therein,wherein storage 140 preferably possesses an aperture 142 formedpreferably on top surface 140 a of storage 140 and preferablypositioned/aligned above rotator 130 for receipt of bagged ice 102therefrom. It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that storage140 could possesses an automated swiveling shifter positioned proximalaperture 142, wherein the shifter would swing from side to side asbagged ice 102 is deposited into storage 140, thus enabling bagged ice102 to be equally distributed throughout storage 140.

[0057] Control panel 150 is preferably affixed to bagging assembly 40and preferably is in electronic or computer-control therewith.Specifically, control panel 150 preferably electronically orcomputer-activates and controls all operations of icemaker assembly 20,bagging assembly 40, storage 140, and apparatus 10 in general. Moreover,upon encountering a problem/malfunction in the operations of apparatus10, control panel 150 preferably troubleshoots and directspre-programmed problem solving events to correct the problem, whereuponthe inability of control panel 150 to correct the problem preferablyresults in control panel 150 sending a message and/or signal to theoriginal equipment manufacturer or other appropriately authorizedmaintenance personnel for repair, and/or to store management dependingupon the complexity of the problem. Control panel 150 preferably sendsthe signals via computer networking, modems and/or global networkingsystems, and/or via any other known messaging/signaling technologies.Additionally, control panel 150 preferably signals store managementregarding simple maintenance issues including, but not limited to, bagroll 100 replacement and/or replacement of sediment filters 25 and UVfilters 27, wherein such signaling may be via audible beeps/buzzers,warning lights and/or other sensory mechanisms and/or knownmessaging/signaling technologies.

[0058] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that baggingassembly 40 of apparatus 10 could possess a plurality of bag rolls 100,wherein apparatus 10 could be further modified/altered to facilitate thesimultaneous bagging of a plurality of bags of ice 102.

[0059] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that baggingassembly 40 could include a substantially continuous roll of bags havingside seams only, wherein user-programmable selection of bag size couldbe enabled, wherein heat sealing of two ends of the bag could beenabled, and wherein an automated cutting mechanism could be included tocut the newly sealed bag. Moreover, bagging assembly 40 could utilizetwo rolls of sealable plastic, wherein plastic from each said roll couldform one side of the ice bag, wherein the sides and the bottom could beheat sealed to form the bag, and wherein the bag could be subsequentlycut from the rolls of plastic.

[0060] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that baggingassembly 40 could utilize continuous feed bags with zipper-type closuremeans incorporated thereon, wherein sealing of filled bags could beaccomplished without the application of heat.

[0061] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that icemakerassembly 20, bagging assembly 40 and storage 140 of apparatus 10 couldbe situated adjacent one another and in adjacent communication with oneanother.

[0062] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus 10could be manufactured without storage 140, wherein storage 140 could bereplaced with a receptacle, such that a customer could utilize a keypador the like to enter the numerical amount of bagged ice desired, andthereafter receive freshly bagged ice deposited into the receptacle byapparatus 10.

[0063] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus 10could be equipped with a volumetric drum to further assist in themeasurement and dispensing of a specified quantity of ice.

[0064] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus 10could be equipped with multiple icemaker assemblies 20, multiple hoppers40, multiple slider boxes 60 and multiple slider trays for thesimultaneous bagging of multiple bags 102 of ice thereby.

[0065] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus 10could be modified and/or altered to deposit ice-filled bags 102 throughmore than one aperture in storage 140, thus permitting ice-filled bags102 to be evenly distributed within storage 140.

[0066] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that thewithin disclosures are exemplary only, and that various otheralternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within thescope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention isnot limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but islimited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ice-bagging apparatus, comprising: a sliderbox configured to receive ice from at least one icemaker, said sliderbox adapted to slidably transport the ice for subsequent deposit of sameinto a bag.